Breech-loading mechanism.



No. 843,504. PATENTE'D FEB. 5, 1907.

. H. T. J.,THRONSEN.

BREEGH LOADING MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 17, 1906.

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PATENTED FEB. 51907.

H. T. J. THRONSEN. BREEGH LOADING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.17, 1906.

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No. 843,504. PATENTED FEB. 5, 1907.

H. T. J. THR'ONSEN.

BREEOH LOADING MBLlHAlVIfiJ/I.v

APPLICATION FILED MAR.17, 190a.

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UNITED STATES ra'rnnr orrron.

HARALD THORVALD JOHANNES THRONSEN, OF FINSPONG, SWEDEN, AS-

SIGNOR TO AKTIEBOLAGET NORDISKA ARTILLERWERKSTADERNA, OF

FINSPONG, SINEDEN.

BREECH-LOADING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 5, 1907.

To all whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that I, I'TARALD THORVALD J OHANNES THRONSEN, a subject of the King of Norway, and a resident of Finspong, in the Kingdom of Sweden, engineer, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Breech-Loading Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to breech-loading mechanism designed to be completely opened and closed by a single movement of the hand or single movement of a hand-operated lever for effecting either the complete opening or closing movement.

The object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for subserving this object which is particularly sir-.iple in construction and highly efficient in operation.

The invention includes the combination arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the drains.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying d awings. in which Figure 1 is an end elevation of a gunbreech having my invention embodied therein or applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a view sii'ilar to Fig. 1, showing the parts at the end of the first stage of the opening movement. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken at substantial right angles to Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a detail side elevation of the breech end of the gun. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the mechanism for locking the operaLing-handle against accidental movement and for controlling the trigger-bolt. Fig. 8 is a detail view of part of the mechanism for controlling the trigger-bolt. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the sector. Fig. 10 is a detail view showing in side elevation a n odified form of the sector. Fig. 11 is a detail view showing the slot in the carrier, which coacis wi;h a lug on the breech-block. Fig. 12 is a detail view of the abutment for preventing the accidental ejectment of the prin ingshell. Figs. 13 14 are detail views of the pin for connecting the slide to the carrier and the opening which receives the pin. Figs.

15 and 16 are detail views of the breechblock and carrier, designed to illustrate the arrangement of coacting slot and lug associated with the carrier, and breech-blo ck, respectively. Figs. 17 and 18 are detail views of the bolt for locking the carrier to the sector at the commencement of the closing moven" ent.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention the breech-block is designated 1 and is provided with sets of peripheral threads separated by spaces coacting with complemental sets of threads in the gun-breech separated by spaces. The breech-block is further provided near its rear end with a toothed segnient 2, the teeth of which run obliquely, with which a toothed sector 3 coacts. This sector is fixed to an operating spindle 4, mounted in the breech-block and carrying at one end an operating-arm 5, Figs. 1, 3, and 4..

In my improved mechanism when the parts are in firing position the threads on the breech-block are in engagement with the threads on the breech of the gun. In opening the breech-block the same is given three distinct m0ven1ents-first, a turning movement about its axis for disengaging the coacting threads and bringing the sectorthreads on one of the parts in register with or opposite the spaces on the other; secondly, a rearward axial movement, and then a final swinging movement. These three movements are all obtained by operating the arm 5. l/Vhen the breech-block is turned sufficiently to disengage the threads thereof from the coacting threads on the breech, its rotary movement is checked and it is moved in consequence of the continued rotation of g the toothed sector 3 straight backward until said block comes into such a position that it would not be hindered by the breech of the gun when it is swung backward around the spindle 4. In order that the straight backward or axial movement of the breech-block may take place with force, which is found necessary in order to release the obturator', (designated 1" in the accompanying drawings,) the toothed sector 3 is provided along its front vertical edge with a presser in the shape of a tooth 6, which acts against the teeth of the segment 2.

If the breech-block is made of cylindrical shape rather than conical shape, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is necessary in order that it may swing freely around the spindle 4 that it be moved farther backward than is provided by the mechanistn illustrating the preferred form of my invention, and in such case the presser 6 on the toothed sector is extended beyond the teeth of the sector to enter a corresponding recess in the breech-block, as illustrated in Fig. 10 of the accompanying drawings. The breech-block is hollowed out and is provided with a cylindrical neck 7, axially disposed, which is surrounded by a collar 8, constituting a part of a carrier 9, which is rotatably mounted on the spindle 4.

The hainnier (designated 33, Figs. 1, 5, and 6) is carried by a pin 37, which is journaled in a bearing 37, provided in a slide 27 guided in a plate 21, secured to the breech block to turn therewith, said slide being shifted relative to the plate 21 during the first movement of the breech-block to operate shell-ejecting means carried by said plate 2].

The plate 21, Figs. 2 and 4, is provided with an inwardly-extending barrel 21 having a detachable connection to the end of the spindle 20, preferably by providing the parts with coacting shoulders and slots. The barrel 21 is provided with diaiiietrical opposed inwardly-extending ribs 21, designed in one position of the plate 21 to abut against coacting ribs 22 on ends of the spindle 2.0 and in another position of said guide-plate to register with spaces or grooves separating said ribs 22. When the ribs 21 register with said spaces, the guide-piece 21 may be shifted lengthwise of the spindle and removed from or placed thereupon; but when the ribs 21 are turned out of register with said spaces the guid e-piece is then held against movement lengthwise of the spindle. For retaining the guide piece or plate 21 against accidental turning on the spindle it is connected eccentrically of the axis of the spindle and breech-block to the latter by means of a bolt 23, which engages a lug 24, projecting inwardly from the breech-block.

The slide 27, Figs. 1, 5, and 6, is secured to the plate 2]. by tongue-and-groove connections 26 and carries a pin 28, which works within a slot 29 in the carrier 9, eccentric of the axis upon which the breech-block turns. This slide is provided with a shoulder 27, Figs. 2 and 4, which is located in the plane of a projection 30, extending radially from the pivot-pin of an ejector or shell-extractor 25, so that as the slide is shifted during the first moventent of the breech-block it will strike said projections and throw the extractor 25 outwardly. This IROVGlTBDD of the slide is due to the fact that the pin 28 and ooacting slot 29 prevent it from moving with the plate 21 during the turning of the breech-block,

but forces it to move relatively thereto in the direction of the length of the connections 26.

In order to prevent a fresh priming-can tridge which has been put into position from being ejected when the mechanism is closed rapidly, there is arranged in a recess in the slide 27 a movable tooth 31, acted upon by a spring, so as to tend to move outward, which tooth when a prim ing-cartridge is placed into position is pressed into the recess, but reas sumes its initial position as soon as the car tridge is seated, so that it forms an abutment to the rear of the shell. When the empty shell is thrown out by the extractor, it is done so vigorously that the tooth is pressed in against the tension of the spring, and. the shell is thus permitted to pass.

If the cartridge misses fire, it is not necessary in the employment of this invention for the breechb lock to be turned around its axis in order to change the cartridge; but the bolt 28 is made removable, so that the slide 27 can be independently shifted to one side. In this movement of the slide 27 the extractor is operated so as to eject the unserviceable cartridge, and thereafter new one can be placed in position, whereupon the slide is moved back and the bolt 28 replaced- In the illustrated embodiment of the means for removably retaining the bolt 28 in place the latter is provided with an L-shaped slot 28 Fig. 14, with which coacts a screw 32, Fig. 13, which when the bolt is in position engages the cirounferential part of the slot. To prevent the bolt from turning accidentally, it is provided with a spring 28, which normally interlocks with the walls of a channel 32,

opening into the bolt-opening in the slide 27,

Fig. 13. To remove the bolt from engagement with the carrier 9, the spring 28 is pressed inwardly to disengage the same from the wall of the channel 32 and the bolt turned to bring the lengthwise-extending part of the slot 28 into register with screw 32, whereupon the bolt may be shifted axially.

A pin 37 is j ournaled in a bearing 37, pro vided on. the slide 27 Figs. 1, 5, and 6, which carries at one end the hammer 33 and at its opposite end a laterally-extending arm 34, the free end of Which is preferably beveled, Figs. 1 and 2. When the breech-block is closed and the firing-pin. 39 in register with the axis thereof, the free end of arm 34 is in register with a spring-pressed trigger-piece 35, carried by the trigger-bolt 36, Figs. 1 and 2. Figs. 3 and 4 show parts in the second stage of the opening movement the breech, and consequently, as here shown, the arm 34 is beyond the end of trigger-piece 35, the slide 27 has been shifted to operate the ejector 25.

To cook and release the hammer 33, the part being in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the bolt 36 is pressed longitudinally against the tension of the spring 36, which tween the rear end thereof end the bottom of rocks the pin 37 through the intermediary of piece and arm 34. The 11: mer being fixed to arm 37 rocks therewith against the tension of the leaf-spring 3S, interposed bea channel or pocket provided in the slide 27, directly below the hammer, 5. This movement continues until the end of arm 34 slips out of engagement with trigger-piece 35, owing to the feet that the letter moves in a rectilinear line, while said end of a m 34 moves in an arc struck from pin 37. Immediately arm 34 releases itself from triggerpiece 35 the spring 38, which has been put under high tension during the shifting of the hammer 33, throws the rear end of the hammer outwardly end the front end thereof, carrying the firing-pin 39, back to its initial position and in sharp and vigorous engagemen with the priming-cartridge, so that the latter is exploded.

My invention contemplates means for lock ing the arm 5 against accidental movement when the breech-block has been seated, end the illustrated embodiment of the means for accomplishing this purpose is shoulder 40, Figs. 1 and 7, on the lower side of the breech of the gun, with which an edge 41 on arm 5 coacts. The shoulder p JjGClZS below the plane in which the part 41 travels in the swinging movement of the arm and is pro vided with a beveled face with which the part 41 coacts near the end of the closing movement of the arm 5. In the final closing movement the arm is sprung downwardly slightly by the shoulder until it passes in advance of the same, as shown in Fig. 7, whereupon the arm springs back and is locked behind the vertical flat face of the shoulder.

The arm 5 is preferably provided with a manipulating-handle 42, and in the illustrated embodiment of my invention this handle is arranged to disengage the arm from the shoulder 40. As shown herein, the handle 42 may be tzirned about a pin 43 and is provided at one end with a part 44, which when the mechanism is closed rests against the shoulder 40, Fig. 7. To open the mechanism, the handle is pulled backwardly in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 7, which by reason of the engagement of the part 44 with the shoulder serves to press the end of the arm 5 beneath said she lder, this forcing the arm below and back of the same, enabling it to be swung rearwardly, as hereinbefore described, to open the mechanism.

As it is import ant that the gun shorld not be discharged rintil the breech mechanism is completely closed, my invention contemplates means for locking the trigger-bolt against operation rntil the mechanism is so closed and the arm 5 locked in closed position by the sho'lder 40. The illiistrated means for accomplishing this object 18 shown as a locking-bolt 46, guided in the breech of the gun in a direction at right angles to the trigger-bolt 36 and normally projected into a recess in the latter by a spring 46. When the bolt 46 is this in engagement with the trigger-bolt 36, the latter is prevented from partaking of any lengthwise movement.

The bolt 46 is provided with a recess 47, which when brought into register with the bolt 36 permits of the lengthwise movement of the latter in order that it may be operated to cock the hammer. One end of the bolt 46 projects from the breech of the gun directly in advance of the shoulder 40, so that when the arm 5 is brorght forward and pressed beneath the SllOJlClGI 40 it will engage the bolt 46 and press the same inwardly against the tension of its spring, which brings the recess 47 into register with the trigger-bolt 36, so thatthen the latter is free to be operated.

In order to bring about the three distinct movements of the breech-block, (viz, the trrning around the axis, the straight backward movement, and the backward and outward swinging movement,) the breech-block is provided with an inwardly-extending hig 10, which coacts with an angular slot in the carrier 9. One part of theslot (designated. 12) extends in a direction parallel with the axis of the breech-block, and the other part (designated 1].) extends laterally from the rear or 9 bottom of part 12 and. is of approximately one-half the depth of the latter. hen the breech-block is closed t. 6., when the threads of the breech-block are in full engagement with the threads of the breech of the gen-barrel, Figs. 1 and 2 kg 10 then lies in the part of the laterally-extending portion 1 1 of the slot most remote from portion 12. Drring the trrning of the breech-block in consequence of the backward swinging of the arm 5 the 10 travels toward the part 12 of the angular slot rntil it finally abuts against the wall of said part 12 most remote from the part 11., which arrests the fi rther ti'rning of the breech-block, and in this position of the parts the l; g 10 is in ft ll register with the part 12 of the slot. The contmi'ed PIQSSTIG of the teeth of the sector onthe teeth ofthe segment now serves to move the breechblock straight backward, and (1: ring this movement the h g 10moves lengthwise in the part 12 of the angrlar slot. l/Vhen the breechblock reaches aposition in its direct rearward movement that enables it to swing freely backward and o"tward arotnd the spindle 5, the breech-block comes into contact with the front part of the cylinder 8 and the independent movement of the two parts is arrested. Until the breech-block reaches the position 1 ast mentioned the carrier 9 has been locked to the breech of the gr n-barrel by a bolt 13, ided in the breech of the gin, which bolt is held. into engagement with the carrier by a st rface on the arm 5 against the tension of a spring which tends to force the pin out of engagement with the carrier. The part on the arm 5 which coacts with the pin is so disposed that it passes out of engagement with the pin 1.3 at the moment the breechblock is arrested by the cylinder 8, and in the firther tzirning of the spindle 4 the bi'eecl1block and carrier move together, so that the carrier 9, with the breech-block, swings backwardly and outwardly, the toothed segment of the breech-block being still acted tpon by the toothed. sector which is being rotated by the arm 5.

In order that the carrier may move with the breech-block when the latter is swung back to close the mechanism, there is arranged in one of the hinged parts of the car rier a bolt 14, which coacts with an opening 14 in the toothed sector 3. The bolt 14 is provided with a lug 15, coacting with a slot 16 in the periphery of one of the ears, forming a part oi the breech of the gun and constituting a bearing for the spindle 4. This slot 16 is of such shape that the bolt 14 in consequence of the engagement of the lug 15 therein will be forced at the desired point in the swinging moveirent of the carrier 9 into the opening 14. By this mechanism the carrier 9 is locked to the sector during the first stage of the closing movement of the parts and is unlocked from the sector, so that the same will move independently of the carrier in its movement for shifting the breechblock in a direct axial line and for rotating the breech-block about its axis for screwing the same home, or in the two final closing movements.

The bolt 13 might be arranged to be shifted in a sinilar manner to the bolt 14, and for the sake of clearness the two bolts are shown as arranged on opposite sides of the hinged parts of the carrier; but of course the bolts might be arranged on the same side of the hinged part, and as they act immediately after each other they might be arranged in the form of a single part.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In combination, in a breech-loading mechanism, a breech-block having a turning movement about its axis, a second movement lengthwise of its axis and a swinging iovement, a guide memberhaving a detachable connection to the breech-block, a slide associated with the guide member capable of movement manually when the breechblock is at rest and movable automatically during the turning movement of the breechblock, an extractor pivoted to the guide having an operating part projecting into the path of movement of the slide, and a springpressed retaining-tooth carried by the slide and having a part norm ally in register with the cartridge-seat, substantially as described;

2. The combination, in a breech-loading mechanism, a breech-block having a turning movement about its axis, a second movement lengthwise of its axis, and a swinging movement, a-toothed segment coacting with the breech-block, andan arm for rocking the segment, a carrier fpr the breech-block, means controlled by the arm for retaining the carrier against movement during the first two movements of the breech-block whereby the carrier will move with the segment, during the third movement only, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in a breech-loading mechanism, the breech-block having a turning movement about its axis, a second movement, a toothed segment coacting with the breech-block for imparting movement thereto, an arm for rocking the segment, a carrier for the breechblock, a guide member, a slide movable relatively thereto, a hammer pivotally mounted on the slide, a spring for tensioning the hammer, means for cocking the hammer comprising a trigger-bolt, slidably mounted in the breech of the gun, a spring-pressed trigger-piece carried thereby and an arm movable with the hammer and coacting with said spring-pressed triggerpiece, substantially as described.

4. The combination, in a breech-loading mechanism, a breech-block having a turning movement about its axis, a second movement lengthwise of its axis and a swinging movement, a toothed segment coacting with the breech-block for imparting movement thereto, an arm for rocking the segment, a carrier for the breechblock, a guide member, a slide movable relatively thereto, a hammer pivotably mounted on the slide, a spring for tensioning the hammer and means for cocking the hammer comprising a lengthwisemovable trigger-bolt slidably mounted in the breech of the gun, and means for controlling the latter comprising an abutment on the trigger-bolt, a second bolt having a surface normally in engagement with the abutment and means for shifting the second bolt, to disengage said surface from the abutment, controlled by the arm which rotates the segment, substantially as described.

5. In combination, a breech-loading mechanism, a breech-block, having a turning aovement about its axis, a second movement lengthwise of its axis and a swinging movement, said breechblock having an axially-disposed stem, a segment, a spindle carrying the same pivotally mounted in the breech of the gun, an arm 5 secured to the spindle -t'or rocking the same, coacting gears on the segment and breech-block, a carrier mounted on said spindle having a tubular portion engaging the stem of the breechblock, coacting means on the carrier and breech-block for limiting the turning movement of the latter, a guide member, a slide associated with the guide member, an ex- IOU tractor secured to the guide and operated by the slide, a connection between the slide and breech-block for shifting the slide during the turning movement of the breech-block, a hammer secured to the slide, a trigger-bolt guided in the breech of the gun, means controlled by the arm 5 f or controlling the movement of the trigger-bolt, and means also controlled by the arm 5 for retaining the carrier against movement during the first two movements of the breech-block, substantially as described.

6. In combination, a breech-loading mechanism a breech-block having a turning movement about its axis, a second movement lengthwise of its axis and a swinging movement, said breech-block having an axiallydisposed stem, a segment, a spindle carrying the same pivotally mounted in the breech of the gun, an arm 5 secured to the spindle for rocking the same, coacting gears on the segmentand breech-block, a carrier mounted on said spindle having a tubular portion engaging the stem of the breech-block, coacting means on the carrier and breech-block for limiting the turning movement of the latter, a guide member, a slide associated with the guide member, an extractor secured to the guide and operated by the slide, a connection between the slide and breech-block for shifting the slide during the turning movement of the breech-block, a hammer secured to the slide, a trigger-bolt guided in the breech of the gun, means controlled by the arm 5 for controlling the movement of the triggerbolt, means also controlled by the arm 5 for retaining the carrier against movement during the first two movements of the breechblock, and means for locking the carrier to the segment during the first stage of the closing movement of the breech-block, substantially as described.

7. In combination, in a breech-loading mechanism, a breech-block having a turning movement about its axis, a second move ment lengthwise of its axis and a swinging movement, a guide member having a detachable connection to the breechblock, a slide associated with the guide capable of movement independently of the breech-block, means for shifting the slide during the turn ing movement of the breech-block and an extractor having an operating part projecting into the path of the movement of the slide, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

HARALD THORVALD JOIIANNES TIIRONSEN.

l/Vitnesses:

GUsTAF B. SoDERLUND, CARL FREDR. Bone. 

